Sentences

Over the last couple of weeks, Ainsley's phrases have rocketed. As you parents know, it takes your breath away. Here are her favorites:

* "Mom and dad are very nice." (we really didn't put her up to that)
* "Boys are icky" (learned that from her nana)
* "Sit down, right now."
* "We go to Miss Amy's music c[l]ass"
* "I miss Mimi, Benja."
* "P[l]ay park 2 minutes more, momma"
" Are [you] okay, momma [or dada, or grandpa, or grandma, etc.]?"
"Mom, Dad, Ainsley Avahs [Avers] [l]ive Illinois, Park."

She also enjoys talking about her friends, naming all of them when we say our prayers, talking about swimming and playing in the back yard, seeing her relatives, trying the potty, going on her tricycle, washing her hands and feet (very important). She's become more particular about routines, choices in clothes, which car we take and why, and what to eat for meals. It's fantastic (and frightening sometimes) to see her personality develop -- to see the bits of her parents' stubbornness or temper in her.

As the weather improves, we are increasingly enjoying outdoor activities -- the trips to the zoo, where Ainsley is now more interested in animal interaction and how animals relate to each other, where her dad and she spent a good amount of time discussing elephant behavior; trips to the tot lots in Oak Park where she is learning to share with others, take turns; exploring our backyard and visiting neighbors. It's a good life!